Edward IV's Second Reign 1471-1483 Flashcards
How Edward was able to regain the throne
. Henry VI unable to rule without help
. To gain help of Louis XI, Lancastrians promised to join war against Duke of Burgundy
^ Parliament annoyed hadn’t been consulted
. Merchants extremely concerned - refusing to lend money
. Henry VI Gov lacked support - Edward IV took advantage
. Henry declared war on Charles of Burgundy
. Edward returned to England March 1471
^ Said he returned only to claim his dukedom
. Montagu/Northumberland did nothing to stop his progress
. Army boosted to 12,000 men when heading to London with help of Clarence
. Gates opened - Henry VI to tower
Edward regaining throne
(battle with Warwick)
Battle of Barnet
. Edward had to act fast and engage with Warwick
. Warwick ordered guns to fire overnight - overshooting
^ Edward didn’t fire back to preserve position
. April 1471, fog hindered view
. Lancastrians mistaked Edwards banner
. Warwick fled = caught and killed
. Caught Queen, Somerset, Exeter at Tewkesbury May 1471
. Lancastrian prince, Somerset and Henry VI killed
^ Queen taken back to London
Edward domestic policy
(Style of ruling)
SUCCESS:
. At heart of own government
. Careful selection of men - relied on nobility to keep order in their location
. After 1471 increase of lower rank men in council
Edward domestic policy
(Law and Order)
SUCCESS:
. Determined ensure law was obeyed
. Anyone failed = replaced
. No major riots/rebellions after 1471
. Lancastrian cause had no hope
. Clarence executed in 1478 for treason
. Nobles wouldn’t take to battlefield over private feuds
FAILURES:
. Faced rebellion in Kent in 1471
. Clarence continued to be a problem
. Edward willing to tolerate large amount of crime as long as didn’t interfere with aims
. Turned blind eye to some corruption - guilty of some wrong doing himself (inheritance)
Edward domestic policy
(Royal Finances)
Greatest achievement
. Inherited large amount of debt - died solvent
. Continued with Chamber system of finance
. Developed ‘land revenue experiment’ - revenue of all lands in crown possession
. Increase in trade in north Europe = increased revenue from custom duties
. Personal interest in trade - improved amount of trade England involved in = commercial treaties with France, Burgundy
. Treaty of Picquingny (1475) with France = annual pension of 50,000 crowns
^ no parliamentary taxation for rest of reign, removed restrictions of English trade with France
. Margaret haded over (Jan 1476) = payment of £10,000, renouncing all claims to lands and titles in England
Foreign Policy
(Anti - French Policy)
. main aim = deal with Louis
^ looked at Brittany and Burgundy for help, expansionist policies making them feel vunerable
. Sep 1472, Treaty with Brittany - England commit invasion on Gascony or Normandy
. Brittany signed truce with France - still encouraged Edward to attack
. Burgundy agreed in 1474 by Treaty of London
^ Parliament - £100,000 and £50,000 from church
. Large army went to Calais July 1475 - allies let him down
. Burgundy avoided committing to specific date
^ Edward not that serious on attack ?
Foreign Policy
(Treaty of Picquigny)
. March 1475, treaty concluded:
- 10 year truce
- Pension of 50,000 crowns paid to England
- Edward leave France for 75,000 crowns
- No secret alliances
^ dauphin Charles to marry Elizabeth of York
- Tolls/charges on English merchants within last 12yrs abolished, same for French
- If either faced rebellion, other lend support
. Reaction in England was disgust - looking forward to possible victory over French
^ For Edward to receive pension - remain on good terms
. Pension meant Edward good live on his own, benefits to English merchants/producers
Foreign Policy
(Edwards policy towards Burgundy)
. Duke of Burgundy died 1477, Mary (married Maximilian of Austria), heir to Holy Roman Empire
. 1480 treaty with Burgundy, support if pension in France stopped (Edward continued secret negotiations with France)
. Mary died 1482, followed by Treaty of Arras (France and Burgundy)
^ Margaret married to french dauphin
- Edward not involved, lost marriage plan for eldest daughter and pension. France no longer worried about Anglo-Burgundian alliance
Foreign Policy
(Policy towards Scotland)
. England and Scotland remained on good terms until 1480 with marriage alliance for Edwards daughter to marry James III (heir)
. 1480: Scotland cross-border raiding of England
^ military prep delayed - continued support for Burgundy
. 1482: Gloucester led attack to put Duke of Albany on throne in place of brother
^ Captured Edinburgh and James III, no direction coming from Edward
. Gloucester left Edinburgh to capture Berwick, significant gain due to military importance added security to north
. Possibility of much more of direction came from Edward
England at Edwards deathbed:
Edward IV,
Thomas Marquis of Dorset,
Lord Hastings
Edward IV = amended will, new arrangements for Gov but details aren’t known
Thomas, Marquis of Dorset = Queens eldest son, hostile to Hastings - clashing over power in Midlands
Lord Hastings = Edwards close friend, always fiercely loyal and just as loyal to his son, well liked in general
England at Edwards deathbed:
Edward V
Earl Rivers
Elizabeth Woodville
Edward V = 12yrs old, expected to rule in 3-4yrs. Closest contact Woodvilles especially Earl Rivers
Earl Rivers = Queens brother, Edwards tutor an govenor respected for his learning/military skills. Good terms with Richard of Gloucester
Elizabeth Woodville = Edwards mother, disliked but no definite evidence why - disliked Hastings
England at Edwards deathbed:
Henry, Duke of Buckingham
John, Lord Howard
Richard of Gloucester
Buckingham = hadn’t thought him capable of leadership, no authority
Lord Howard = served Edward for many years, estates went to Richard of York (Edward second son) instead of him when Norfolk died
Richard of Gloucester = brother of Edward, most obvious characteristic was loyalty to Edward. No evidence he was on bad terms with any nobles
